Overview
Synopsis
The greatest star, the ultimate people person... the story of beloved comedienne Fanny Brice begins with her irrepressible youth in New York’s Lower East Side, where the stage-struck teenager clowns her way through burlesque and vaudeville, with dreams of making it big despite the discouragement of her friends and neighbors, who tell her that she isn’t pretty enough for the stage. Fanny, with her powerhouse voice and incredible ambition, knows better. After meeting Nick Arnstein, a handsome and charismatic gambling man with a gentle side, Fanny immediately falls in love. And with her big break in the Ziegfeld Follies on the horizon, the stardom she has always longed for is within her grasp. Her only problem… the elusive Nick Arnstein, ignorant of her affection, is always leaving town on some “business” venture. After a romantic meeting in Baltimore, Nick and Fanny finally confess their feelings, and Fanny boldly abandons the Follies to follow Nick across the ocean. When Nick wins a bankroll, the newly-wealthy couple happily marry. No honeymoon lasts forever, though, and Fanny has to choose between the brilliant show business career she loves, or the adored husband who increasingly resents her success. A triumphant story of starry success and a bittersweet story of love, Jule Styne and Bob Merrill’s Funny Girl is a musical theatre classic which celebrates the exuberant and elegant flavor of Broadway in the 1910s and 20s and the comic genius of Fanny Brice and features such beloved songs as “People” and “Don’t Rain on My Parade”.
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Context
Funny Girl, a musical romantic comedy, is the semi-biographical story of beloved comedienne Fanny Brice. Funny Girl, which features music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Bob Merrill, and a book by Isobel Lennart based on her short story, opened on Broadway on March 26th, 1964, at the Winter Garden Theater. It moved locations twice before closing on July 1st, 1967, at the Broadway Theater after 1,348 performances. The production famously starred Barbra Streisand as Fanny Brice, the role that put
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Act One
The New Amsterdam Theater, New York City, 1920s. Fanny Brice, the worldly and experienced star of the Ziegfeld Follies, enters, looking inside her dressing room and walking around the stage, seemingly at a loss. In her dressing room, she stares at herself in the mirror. John, the Stage Manager, and her dresser, Emma, both poke their heads in, asking, “any word from Nick yet?” The Stage Manager calls 30 minutes, but Fanny is still lost in thought. In the mirror she sees the past:
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Character Portrayals
See StageAgent members who have performed roles in Funny Girl.
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Songs
Act One
- "Overture" – Orchestra
- "If a Girl Isn't Pretty" – Mrs. Strakosh, Mrs. Brice, Eddie Ryan and People
- "I'm the Greatest Star" – Fanny Brice
- "Cornet Man" – Fanny Brice, Snub Taylor and Keeney Chorus
- "Who Taught Her Everything?" – Mrs. Brice and Eddie Ryan
- "His Love Makes Me Beautiful" – Ziegfeld Tenor, Ziegfeld Girls and Fanny Brice
- "I Want to Be Seen With You Tonight" – Nick Arnstein and Fanny Brice
- "Henry Street" – Henry Street Neighbors
- "People" – Fanny Brice
- "You Are Woman" – Nick Arnstein and Fanny Brice
- "Don't Rain on My Parade" – Fanny Brice
Act Two
- "Sadie, Sadie, Married Lady" – Fanny Brice and Friends
- "Find Yourself a Man" – Mrs. Strakosh, Mrs. Brice and Eddie Ryan
- "Rat-Tat-Tat-Tat" –Ziegfeld Company and Fanny Brice
- "Who Are You Now?" –Fanny Brice
- "The Music That Makes Me Dance" – Fanny Brice
- "Don't Rain on My Parade" (Reprise) – Fanny Brice
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Key Terms
A genre of drama based on real people’s lives, exploring their challenges, accomplishments, and inner conflicts.
A theatrical genre mixing parody, music, and often sensuality, originating in the 19th century as satirical entertainment.
A period of artistic flourishing, often referring to 1940s-60s Broadway or English Renaissance theatre. This term plays a vital role in understanding theatrical structure and is commonly encountered in stagecraft or performance settings.
The “Golden Age Musical” refers to Broadway shows written roughly between the 1940s and 1960s, a period known for integrating songs, story, and character development. These musicals often balanced romance, comedy, and social themes with memorable melodies and large ensembles. Classics from this era continue to shape the foundation of modern musical theatre.
A British theatrical genre featuring variety entertainment including songs, comedy, and specialty acts. Popular in the 19th and early 20th centuries, it influenced modern musical theatre.
A production created to showcase the talents of a specific star performer, often tailored to their strengths.
A variety entertainment form popular in the U.S. from the late 19th century to the early 20th, featuring diverse short acts.
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